Sister Mary Hope Doudard, SSCJ passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.  She was a Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for 70 years.  Sister Mary Hope was 89 years old.  She wa born on February 10, 1934 at St. Mars sur la Futaire in France.  Her parents, Francois Doudard and Marie Niveau baptized her as Simone Marie-Therese

Sister Mary Hope professed her first vows as Soeur Marie de l'Esperance on August 11, 1953, in Saint Jacut-les Pins, France.  She was then missioned to Hitchin, England to learn English for a future mission in the U.S.A.  In 1955, she bid farewell to her family and France to begin lifelong ministry in Texas.  She professed her final vows on July 26, 1958 in San Antonio, TX.

Upon her arrival in Texas, she was assigned as a primary teacher at Mount Sacred Heart School for Girls from 1955-1972.  From 1995 to 1998, she served as Religion Coordinator and teacher at St. John's School in San Antonio, TX.  Returning to Texas from Papua New Guinea in 2001, she returned to Mount Sacred Heart School as Religion and Liturgy Coordinator until her retirement in 2015.  She assisted the teachers in preparing liturgies and training students how to minister at Mass.  She was awarded by the Archdiocese the Outstanding Leader in Catholic Education in 2011.  During her retirement, she would often visit the school, attend Mass, and be a presence to the staff.

In 1991, she was called forth to leave Texas to be missioned in Papua New Guinea.  She served as a teacher in Kondiu from 1991 to 1995.  She served again in Papua New Guinea from 1998 to 2001 at Kondiu and Mingendi.  She served as the Diocesan Religion Coordinator.  She was truly a missionary in responding to God's call to share her gifts for the mission of the Church.

Sister Mary Hope was at the service of the Congregation in other ministries.  She served on the Provincial Council from 1967-1975 and again 1990-1991.  She served as Formation Directress from 1976 to 1980 and Directress of Novices from 1980-1989.  From 2019 to 2022, she was a member of the Extended Council with the responsibility of the Archives and the Associates.

Sister Mary Hope was a woman of great faith and open to respond to God's many calls.  She loved people and received visitors always with a welcoming smile and always offering a cup of coffee.

Services are scheduled at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 600 Oblate Dr., San Antonio, TX.  Tuesday, April 11, visitation will begin at 5:30pm followed by a Rosary to be recited at 7:00pm.  Wednesday, April 12, the funeral mass will be offered at 1:00pm.  Interment will follow in the SSCJ Memorial Garden.

Memorials can be sent to the SSCJ Memorial Garden, Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 11931 Radium St., San Antonio, Texas 78216.